Despite apparent unanimity among actors, indi- viduals experience the revolutionary moment quite differently. Diverse dynamics of radicaliza- tion operate. In order to understand how a multi- tude of individuals who weren't in the opposition per se engage in collective action, one must avoid the “ immaculate contestation ” trap. Therefore I focus on 1/ increased engagement in contentious collective actions in the “ inner Tunisia ” since 2008, and 2/ emerging ambivalent counter- conducts among different social groups, that are transformed under certain circumstances into anti-regime protests. Throughout repeated inter- views carried out since 2006, the diachronic study identifies these mobilizations' grounds funda- ments : socioprofessional situations, neighbor- hood and family sociabilities, generational stakes, past struggles' memories and repression expe- riences. Simultaneously, the ethnographic approach reveals how contingent are engage- ments in a both intense and fast-spreading uprising.